Happy to help Bidders at Rainbow of Hope Auction glad funds help pay children's medical b

Thursday

Jul 23, 2009 at 4:03 AM

By CHRISTINE L. PRATT

Staff Writer

Since the first auction in 1987, the Rainbow of Hope Foundation has grown by leaps and bounds, and foundation leaders are hoping this year will be no exception.

The annual auction, held at Mount Hope Auction, is Friday and Saturday.

While the first year's proceeds topped $20,000 -- "we were very happy with that," said President Henry Hershberger -- last year's auction netted more than $400,000.

The Rainbow of Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization with its sole purpose to provide funds for needy families that have incurred medical expenses for children in Holmes, Coshocton, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties.

Whether it is an accident, illness or ongoing care for a handicapped child, the board of directors considers all applications for assistance, paying great attention to need and the parents' income.

While children must be no older than 17 to apply, those already receiving assistance can continue to get help from the organization until they are 21, said Hershberger, adding the organization provided more than $500,000 in aid to families with outstanding bills for medical treatment, hospitalization and medications.

"It looks like it's going to be a good auction again," said Hershberger of the event that attracts bidders from 10-12 states.

All the auction items, furniture, quilts, toys, services and construction of 32-by- 40-foot shop building, are donated, as well as all labor associated with the sale, said Hershberger, noting that all but 2 percent of the organization's income goes to paying medical expenses for sick children.

"People love it and they support it really good," said Hershberger, adding many buyers and donors are happy to know the money "stays local and goes to help children with medical problems."

"There's so much stuff for the whole family," said Hershberger, pointing to not only the auction, but a variety of activities and food available for sale.

The auction begins Friday at 4 p.m. with games and a chicken barbecue. Tools and toys will be auctioned off beginning at 6 p.m., with a break for Iditarod sled racer Tom Roig, along with his dogs, who will speak about his experience training for and racing through Alaska.

Saturday events begin at 6 a.m. with a full-course breakfast. The furniture and quilt auction, to numerous hand-crafted wood items and about 50 large quilts, wall hangers, crib quilts and afghans, begins at 9 a.m.